Brawijaya University Researcher Reveals Etanol Mixture To Fuel Is Not New, Has Been Tested Since The BJ Habibie Era

JAKARTA Professor of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Prof Wardana revealed that research on the use of ethanol as a mixture of fuel oil (BBM) has been started since the 1980s.

In the research conducted by Universitas Brawijaya, the mixed results of 20-30 ethanol in BMM are not dangerous. Thus, Wardana said that the mixture of ethanol into fuel is not new and has been tested for a long time.

"If gasoline (alcohol gasoline) was in the 80s, yes. So at that time we got large funds from BBBT, from Pak Habibie, through BBBT as well. The goal is to test the 20 percent ethanol mixed into gasoline," said Wardana Friday, October 17.

Wardana explained that the research was based on Indonesia's great potential in producing ethanol from cassava. However, the program did not continue because the price of fossil fuels in the country was too cheap at that time.

He revealed that the study was carried out with the support of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) under the direction of BJ Habibie. But now, according to Wardana, conditions have changed and made the biofuel program relevant again.

"Now the conditions are different. The price of fuel is so expensive, and we have imported it. Well, Mr. Habibie's idea at that time was to replace the fuel with a clean one, because ethanol is clean fuel. But yes, that was because in the past our fuel prices were cheap, the program didn't work," he said.

Wardana also revealed the latest research results at Universitas Brawijaya which showed that the ethanol mixture in fuel actually increased the efficiency and quality of engine combustion. Because the ethanol mixture increases the octane level in fuel.

According to the results of my research now with undergraduate students, the addition of ethanol actually increases the quality of fuel. So, for example, we buy cheap fuels, then we interfere ourselves, the quality can go up," he said.

In terms of policy, the Government of President Prabowo Subainto through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is currently preparing a mandatory E10 (10 percent ethanol) for gasoline and B50 ( 50 percent biodiesel) for diesel in 2026. This step, according to Wardana, could reduce oil imports by up to 10'20 percent, because most of the imported fuel is used for transportation.

"By increasing the mixture of biofuels, almost all of the fuel we import is for vehicles. So if we use E10 or B50, our imports can decrease by 10 to 20 percent," he said.

Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Andhyka Muttaqin, SAP., MPA, assessed that this mandatory biofuel is a tangible manifestation of energy policy reform that is more environmentally oriented and efficient. However, Muttaqin reminded the importance of a clear stage so that this policy is accepted by the public and industry.

"Actually, it's like the 3 Kg LPG policy is good, but there should be stages. If the policy needs to be stages, so people are not surprised and the government is not attacked," said Andhyka.

Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Dr. Muhammad Sri Wahyudi Suliswanto added that this biofuel policy is a great opportunity for Indonesia to build an independent energy supply chain.

He also assessed that community involvement in agricultural-based energy development such as bioethenol production from cassava and sugar cane will create new jobs in the regions. This can be an instrument of economic equity while at the same time suppressing dependence on oil and gas imports," he said.